Page 43 of Burning Bridges

“I’m sure, sorry I bothered you,” I say, feeling silly now. It was probably nothing.

“You know you can call me anytime you need, Piper. It’s not a bother. I care about you.”

What he said last night wasn’t bullshit. The way he says it makes my heart flutter, and for some stupid reason, tears prick my eyes. How did he know what I needed to hear? Leo always did know just what to say to make me feel better, and I know he would help me if I asked him to. He might act like a cold-hearted monster, but I know the truth. Deep down he has a heart, and I know he would do just about anything to protect the people he cares about. It makes me feel like an asshole when I think of what I’m doing to him for Tony. Well, technically, I haven’t really done anything yet, but I know what I would be willing to do if push came to shove. I have to side with Tony every time. He’s family, and I know I have to back him up. No matter how complicated things are starting to get with Leo. But for the first time in my life I’m not sure I want to.

“I better go. See you around,” I force out, not sure what else to say. I’m feeling vulnerable, and if I stay on the phone any longer, I’m likely to say something I will regret later, like, "Come over and stay with me tonight because I need you." Part of me wishes I could beg him to save me, take me away from all the pain I constantly feel, but I know I can’t. I’m an Acevedo, and I have to be stronger than that.

“Okay. I will respect your boundaries, but if you need me, call me.” He disconnects the call. He sounded disappointed that I wouldn’t just go to the club, but I can’t.

I pull into my driveway and park inside the garage. I head inside quickly, locking the door behind me. Not that I wanted to admit it to Leo, but I’m still really freaked out. I flick on just about every light in the house as I make my way to my bedroom. I’m covered in goosebumps and need a hot shower to wash this creepy feeling away before I climb into bed for the night.

I make my way into the ensuite and turn the shower on to scorching, get undressed, and step under the water, allowing it to drench me. My hair covers my face like a curtain, and I let it. I slide my body to the tile floor below. Tears that I have been holding back suddenly stream down my face. I pull my legs into my chest and heave in breaths. I’m so overwhelmed I can’t think straight.

I’m not safe, I can feel it. I’m scared for myself but mostly for Hannah. Something is about to go down, and I don’t want her anywhere near when it does. I’m glad she is with her father tonight. I have no doubts about her safety when she’s with him. And as much as I hate to, I need to call Axel and admit to him he was right. She’s not safe here with me anymore. I need get him to have her longer this week. Just until I know who exactly was watching me tonight. And until I can get us a place somewhere else, somewhere I know we are safe. I don’t want to be in this house anymore. It’s haunted for me after everything that has happened. There is also no way I can keep us safe here; it’s so massive, and without the security we used to have, I feel like a sitting duck.

The name King keeps coming back to me. That Leo thought I’m working for them is ludicrous, and I hope after last night, he will believe me and stop mentioning it. I don’t want to think about that family, but they're up to something, and I just pray it doesn’t have anything to do with what Tony is organizing. I know it’s unlikely, because from the moment our father signed that agreement with the King family, Tony hated them just as much as I did. He always said Cory King, the leader of the family and gang, was a two-faced son of a bitch who would stab our family in the back as soon as he had the chance. But our father didn’t agree and continued to work with him for years, I’m sure until he died.

After our father's death, their name seemed to vanish from our streets. Tony told me he took care of them, and as usual, I wasn’t privy to how. I was just happy I didn’t have to hear the name anymore. Now it’s back, and I get that feeling like someone just walked over my grave every time someone mentions it.

My phone buzzing breaks me from my swirling thoughts, and I realize it’s the Tony phone. Just what I need. It’s like he can read my traitorous thoughts about getting out of here. I stand, shutting off the water and grabbing a towel so I can answer his call.

“Hello.” I sniffle, not able to help it after the hot shower and all my tears.

“Guess you've forgotten what we're fighting for, what with all the fun you’re out having with Leo.” He starts on me right away, and I would like to know what fun he's talking about.

“You know it’s not like that.” I sigh, feeling more helpless than ever. I wasn’t even out with Leo tonight.

“What’s it like then, dear sister? I can hear you've been crying. That’s about lover boy, right? You're all upset because you've caught feelings for him.”

The way he says it is like he's jealous. “You have absolutely no fucking idea what I’m dealing with back here,” I yell down the phone, so annoyed at him for assuming this is all over a man, when really, I’m fucking scared for my life and the safety of my daughter.

“Come on, Piper, it may have been a while since I saw you face to face, but I’m not buying that bullshit. I sent you to watch him and feed me any information you found. But just like the sappy little girl you are, you fell in love with him, didn’t you?” He sounds just like my father, an arrogant asshole who thinks he knows all the answers, when really, he has no clue about me at all.

This Tony is far more dangerous than the psychopath that faked his own life. He’s calm and calculating and deprived of any human emotion, the way our father trained him to be. Even though I’m on the phone, I straighten my posture. I need him to know I’m not weak. My father picked on me because he thought I was, but I won’t show any weakness in front of Tony. “I’m not in love with Leo. I could walk away whenever I need to.”

“Good, but that won’t be necessary. Having him wrapped around your little finger will give us the advantage. I have known for a long time you’re his Achilles heel. We need you to keep distracting him for a little longer. We have big plans for him and his brothers. In the end, there won’t be anything left to walk away from.” My stomach sinks at his cruel words. Tony is going to kill Leo, and I can’t let that happen.

“Someone was watching me tonight at the salon.” I change the subject, not about to talk about the demise of the Riveras. It no longer sits well with me.

“You're just being paranoid. Stop your fussing and listen to me.”

I don’t say anything back to him. What is there to say? I’m asking him for help, and he gives me nothing. Tells me to stop my fussing. He really has lost all sense of reality, and I know nothing I say will make him come back and help me. He has his own agenda: to kill Leo and take back the top spot at all costs.

“I have booked a table for you at Antonio’s tomorrow evening at eight. You will meet with a good friend of mine, and you will finally get all the answers you crave. I’ve had a parcel delivered to your front door with everything you'll need.” I feel my blood boil at being told what to do. He might have been able to get away with it for most of my life, but I have enjoyed a little independence now, and his bossiness is getting to me. But I do want to know what the hell is going on, and if this person can get me a little closer to any information, the meeting will be worth attending.

“Who is this friend?” I demand, needing more information if he expects me to go along.

“Just an old family friend. I’m sure you will be happy to see him.” He laughs, making me feel uneasy, but I have to trust him. Tony wouldn’t do anything to hurt me, not really. If he thinks this meeting is important, it must be. And I need to know what is going on.

“Okay,” I concede, feeling even more helpless than when I stepped foot in the shower.

“Good girl. Call me when you’re done.” He hangs up.

I dry myself off and find some pajamas to get into so I can go and grab this parcel. It’s right there where he said it would be, by the front door. I snatch it up and close the door, quickly locking the deadbolt behind me.

Inside the box is a dress and heels with a note.Revenge is sweet, but we all know the princess is sweeter.

The words send a chill down my spine. What the fuck is that supposed to mean? This could literally be any one of Tony's old friends. Most of them have tried their luck with me at one point or another. At least I will be in a public place that I know well enough. I can make a run for it if it gets weird. But for now, I need this little scrap of information he is throwing my way. I’m so sick of being in the dark, and if I don’t plan on living in my brother’s shadow forever and actually want to take back a little control over my own life, I need to know what’s going on so I can stop it before anything happens to Leo.

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